We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Sea Water Contamination in the Vicinity of the Italian Minor Islands Caused by Microplastic Pollution
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastics were found at six sites around Italian minor islands that were expected to be relatively clean, with higher concentrations near river mouths. Even protected and remote island environments in the Mediterranean are contaminated with microplastics, indicating widespread dispersion.
The abundance and distribution of microplastics (MP) were evaluated in six “clean” sites (Italian minor islands) and in two “polluted” areas (near the mouth of two major Italian rivers). Samples of MP, plankton and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were collected using a manta trawl (MA) and a plankton net (WP2), both lined with a 333 µm mesh net. MP have been confirmed to be ubiquitous since they were found at each site, showing an average density of 0.3 ± 0.04 items/m3 (values ranged from 0.641 to 0.119 ). When comparing the clean sites with the polluted ones, a significantly higher value of MP was found near the river mouths. The most common types of MP were synthetic filaments (50.24%), followed by fragments (30.39%), thin plastic films (16.98%) and spheres (2.39%). Infrared spectroscopy analysis highlighted that the most abundant polymers were polyethylene (PE-26%), polypropylene (PP-11%), polyethylene-terephthalate/polyester (PET/PEST-8%) and ethylene-vinyl-acetate (EVA-5%). Polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides were detected in all the samples with a high variability among sites and depths. This study adds to the existing information on the distribution of contaminants across the Mediterranean Sea, and is useful to policy makers who wish to implement effective measures to reduce MP pollution.
More Papers Like This
The assessment of microplastic pollution in the shelf sediment of the Sicily and the Tuscan Islands
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found widespread microplastic pollution in seabed sediments across the shelf zones of Sicily and the Tuscan Archipelago in the Mediterranean. The study identified fibres as the dominant particle type and noted that proximity to urban and river inputs influenced contamination levels.
Microplastic distribution, abundance and composition in the water column, sediments and biota samples collected along the Tyrrhenian Coasts (Mediterranean Sea)
AI summary Read the abstract
A Greenpeace-sponsored sampling campaign along Italy's Tyrrhenian coastline detected microplastics in surface water, sediments, and marine organisms at all sites, including marine protected areas. Ports and river mouths showed the highest contamination levels, pointing to land-based and maritime activities as major sources. The study demonstrates that even protected marine areas in the Mediterranean are not free from plastic pollution.
From inshore to offshore: distribution of microplastics in three Italian seawaters
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers surveyed microplastic concentrations across coastal to offshore areas in three Italian seas, finding heterogeneous distributions of 6,069 particles with differences between surface and subsurface water layers, providing data to support EU marine monitoring programs.
Microplastics in the Center of Mediterranean: Comparison of the Two Calabrian Coasts and Distribution from Coastal Areas to the Open Sea
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution along the Calabrian coastline in the central Mediterranean, finding higher concentrations on the Tyrrhenian coast than the Ionian coast and documenting how microplastics distribute from coastal areas into the open sea.
Microplastics distribution in water and sediments from a rural endoreic lake on the volcanic island of Pantelleria (Central Mediterranean Sea)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers assessed microplastic distribution in surface water and sediments of Bagno dell'Acqua Lake on the remote volcanic island of Pantelleria in the Central Mediterranean, finding homogeneous contamination in surface waters dominated by fibers (over 90%) despite the island's low urbanization and lack of industrialization.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.